Barbara Radnofsky is putting together a fundraiser in Houston on Monday, November 20, to help Ciro Rodriguez in the runoff election for CD23. PDiddie has the details. Other folks such as David Van Os and John Courage are also pitching in.

Karl-T makes the case for helping Ciro here. The Express News has a good overview of the race, with additional comments at BOR. I know that the runoff in LA-02 is getting the bulk of the national attention, but this is a race that could pick up another seat for the Dems. It can't be overlooked.

Finally, though they didn't do it right away, onetime CD23 candidate Albert Uresti and his brother, State Sen.-elect Carlos Uresti have now formally endorsed Ciro's candidacy in the runoff. Click the More link to see the press release.

State Senator Carlos Uresti and his brother Albert Uresti, former congressional candidate for District 23, are holding a press conference to urge voters to join them in supporting Ciro Rodriguez in the U.S. Congressional runoff election in December. The press conference is being held Thursday, November 16, 2006 at 9:30 a.m. at the headquarters of the Ciro Rodriguez campaign at 246 W. Harding Blvd.

"Henry Bonilla simply hasn't done his job to provide fresh ideas on how to protect our troops and bring an honorable peace to the war in Iraq. This runoff represents the people's chance to make changes in our Iraq policy and bring our troops home. Bonilla continues claiming to support our troops and yet he continues to send them into harm's way," said Albert Uresti.

"The Republican leadership has failed, as signaled by the November elections. Uniting the Democrats behind one democrat in this Congressional election is important so that we may continue the change of direction in our country," said Uresti.

The Urestis' endorsement is an important lynchpin in Rodriguez's plan to unite Democrats to defeat Republican Congressman Henry Bonilla. Senator Carlos Uresti represents a district that mirrors the boundaries of the 23rd Congressional District and Albert Uresti garnered the second most votes among Democrats in the special election contest that ended November 7, 2006. Both brothers declare that Bonilla has not represented the concerns of the people of the 23rd Congressional District and believe Rodriguez provides an opportunity toward a new direction that puts people above the powerful special interests that have created a failed Republican government in Washington.

Albert Uresti concluded his critique of the catastrophic situation in Iraq noting, "Our family has served in uniform and continues to serve-this issue affects us deeply as it does so many working families in the district. All of the fancy commercials in the world cannot hide the reality that our troops are in the middle of a firestorm because Congressman Bonilla and his Republican colleagues rubberstamped the failed course of Donald Rumsfield and the Washington leadership. Now the voters should return in December to hold Bonilla accountable for his failed leadership"

Senator Carlos Uresti called on people to seize the opportunity to return the district to someone that represents their interests and not the interests of indicted Republican Majority Leader Tom Delay, who orchestrated a redistricting plan that the Supreme Court ruled unconstitutional. "People are having a tough time with the high costs of healthcare, taking care of their children's education, gasoline, and wages falling. Bonilla's record doesn't pass the test with people in the district. Now we must unite around Ciro Rodriguez to turn out the vote and send the message that we want leadership that works for us and not the lobbyists in Washington."